According to a report by The New York City Department of Buildings, an investigation into the collapse of the Ward Bakery parapet found that Forest City Ratner was aware of damage to the building's facade and parapet that left the parapet in a weakened condition, but did not communicate that information to crews performing asbestos abatement on the roof. According to the DOB report, chipping work on the roof caused a 200-foot section of the parapet to fall away from the building and crash to the sidewalk on the morning of April 26. At the time of the collapse, no sidewalk protection was in place below the parapet, although fortunately there were no injuries.

The findings of the DOB report once again highlight the inadequacy of the oversight currently in place on the Atlantic Yards project. Although the ESDC announced several initiatives following the collapse intended to improve monitoring and communication with respect to Atlantic Yards construction activities, little progress has been made toward their implementation. Most glaringly, Atlantic Yards still lacks even a community liaison with public accountabillity. Meanwhile, demolition activities were allowed to resume on a double-shift schedule weeks before the DOB report was completed.

We believe strongly that a dedicated oversight and decision-making body which includes elected representatives of the communities surrounding Atlantic Yards is necessary to ensure public safety and accountability. We encourage Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Spitzer to carefully consider the proposal by the BrooklynSpeaks sponsors and local elected officials to reform governance of the Atlantic Yards project and put appropriate measures in place before another accident happens at the site.